U.S. patent application number 16/588759 was filed with the patent office on 2020-11-12 for mobile radio testing device and method for protocol testing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Heino GERLACH, Henry GROPP, Moritz HARTENECK, Gottfried HOLZMANN, Matthias JELEN, Rolf LORENZEN, Martin OETJEN.
Application Number | 20200358542 16/588759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004381957 |
Filed Date | 2020-11-12 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200358542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARTENECK; Moritz ; et
al. |
November 12, 2020 |
MOBILE RADIO TESTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROTOCOL TESTING
Abstract
A mobile radio testing device for protocol testing of a device
under test is provided. The mobile radio testing device comprises a
downlink path and an uplink path, wherein the uplink path comprises
at least a first analysis mode and a second analysis mode. In this
context, the mobile radio testing device includes a demodulation
processing unit for analyzing signals from the device under test in
the first analysis mode. In addition, the second analysis mode
analyzes signals from the device under test without using the
demodulation processing unit.
Inventors: |
HARTENECK; Moritz; (Munich,
DE) ; OETJEN; Martin; (Groebenzell, DE) ;
LORENZEN; Rolf; (Taufkirchen, DE) ; JELEN;
Matthias; (Munich, DE) ; GROPP; Henry;
(Munich, DE) ; GERLACH; Heino; (Munich, DE)
; HOLZMANN; Gottfried; (Zorneding, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG |
Munich |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004381957 |
Appl. No.: |
16/588759 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 43/045 20130101;
H04B 17/345 20150115 |
International
Class: |
H04B 17/345 20060101
H04B017/345; H04L 12/26 20060101 H04L012/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 2019 |
EP |
19172697.5 |
Claims
1. A mobile radio testing device for protocol testing of a device
under test, comprising: a downlink path and an uplink path, wherein
the uplink path comprises at least a first analysis mode and a
second analysis mode; and a demodulation processing unit configured
to analyze signals from the device under test in the first analysis
mode; and wherein the second analysis mode is configured to analyze
signals from the device under test without using the demodulation
processing unit.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first analysis mode
and the second analysis mode are configured to operate
simultaneously.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second analysis
mode has a wider bandwidth than the first analysis mode.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second analysis
mode includes spectrum analyzing means and/or wherein the second
analysis mode is configured to detect radio frequency
interferences.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second analysis
mode is further configured to classify the detected radio frequency
interferences with respect to a pattern dataset.
6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a
communication unit configured to communicate with the device under
test wirelessly or via cable, preferably with frequencies above 6
GHz or millimeter waves.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the communication means
is configured to deactivate the device under test prior to the
analysis in the second analysis mode and to activate the device
under test after the analysis in the second analysis mode.
8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a graphical
user interface configured to display results from the first
analysis mode and the second analysis mode simultaneously.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user
interface is further configured to indicate a specific source of
radio frequency interference based on a classification of radio
frequency interference from the second analysis mode.
10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the graphical user
interface is further configured to control a signal transmission in
the downlink path.
11. A method for protocol testing of a device under test,
comprising: analyzing signals from the device under test in a first
analysis mode including a demodulation processing; and analyzing
signals from the device under test in a second analysis mode
excluding the demodulation processing.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: operating
the first analysis mode and the second analysis mode
simultaneously.
13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: detecting
radio frequency interference in the second analysis mode.
14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
classifying the detected radio frequency interference with respect
to a pattern dataset in the second analysis mode.
15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
indicating a specific source of radio frequency interference based
on a classification of radio frequency interference from the second
analysis mode.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) from European Patent Application No. 19172697.5 (filed 2019
May 6), the entirety of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a mobile radio testing device and a
corresponding method for protocol testing of a device under test,
especially for analyzing interference situation of the test
environment.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Over the air (OTA) tests are required by many standard
organizations to accurately predict real world wireless device
reliability. To ensure error free reception of the test signals,
the interference situation of the test environment is required to
be investigated. Furthermore, most network operators will implement
fifth generation (5G) mobile communications as an additional
channel to further increase transmission rates. For instance, an
implementation of the 5G New radio (NR) to extend the existing Long
Term Evolution (LTE) networks would significantly improve data
throughput rates. The simultaneous network connection requires wide
reception of signals for testing the signaling, radio frequency
parameters, data rates and the like. Such wide reception of test
signals is susceptible to interferences that can be generated by
transmission of the test equipment itself or by other sources in
the vicinity of the test equipment such as Wireless Local Area
Network (WLAN) hotspots, Digital Enhanced Cordless
Telecommunications (DECT) stations and so on.
[0004] Currently a spectrum analyzer, which is connected to an
antenna, is utilized to check the interference situation of the
test environment. However, the receive signal at the spectrum
analyzer may differ with the actual input signal into the receiver
due to, for instance the position and the direction of the
corresponding antennas. Additional hardware such as the spectrum
analyzer and/or separate antennas also require a larger and cost
intensive test setup. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to
monitor the actual input signal into the receiver to effectively
analyze the interference situation of the test environment.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,366,508 B2 discloses a radio
access point testing method and testing apparatus which permit the
radio characteristics test of a radio access point apparatus in a
mobile communication system by remote manipulation from an
operation center.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for protocol testing of a
device under test which further analyze the interference situation
of the test environment in a highly efficient and cost effective
manner to ensure error free reception at high data rates.
SUMMARY
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention advantageously address
the foregoing requirements and needs, as well as others, by
providing approaches for protocol testing of a device under test
which further analyze the interference situation of the test
environment in a highly efficient and cost effective manner to
ensure error free reception at high data rates.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, a mobile radio
testing device for protocol testing of a device under test is
provided. The mobile radio testing device comprises a downlink path
and an uplink path, wherein the uplink path comprises at least a
first analysis mode and a second analysis mode. In this context,
the mobile radio testing device includes a demodulation processing
unit for analyzing signals from the device under test in the first
analysis mode. In addition, the second analysis mode analyzes
signals from the device under test without using the demodulation
processing unit. Therefore, protocol testing of the device under
test is carried out along the first analysis mode by demodulating
the receive signal according to the standards such as LTE, NR and
the like. Additionally, the receive signal is further analyzed
along the second analysis mode, where the modulated version of the
receive signal is evaluated for investigating radio frequency
interferences. In other words, the first analysis mode is
configured to perform protocol testing and the second analysis mode
is configured to perform radio frequency testing on the same
receive signal from the device under test. Advantageously, the
actual receive signal in the receiver is analyzed for investigating
the interference situation of the test environment.
[0009] According to a first preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the first analysis mode and the
second analysis mode are configured to operate simultaneously. The
second analysis mode might have a wider bandwidth than the first
analysis mode. Advantageously, protocol testing and radio frequency
testing are performed simultaneously. In addition, the wide
bandwidth of the second analysis mode facilitates an extensive
reception of test signals, especially for simultaneous network
connection.
[0010] According to a second preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the second analysis mode includes
spectrum analyzing means. Additionally or alternatively, the second
analysis mode is configured to detect radio frequency
interferences. Advantageously, no additional spectrum analyzer
and/or antenna arrangement are required, which leads to a simple
and cost effective test setup.
[0011] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the second analysis mode is further
configured to classify the detected radio frequency interferences
with respect to a pattern dataset. The classification can be based
on selective strategies, for instance technology identification,
modulation type recognition, interference source detection and so
on. These data then can be advantageously utilized to train the
testing device to effectively analyze the interference situation of
the test environment.
[0012] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the mobile radio testing device
further comprises communication means to communicate with the
device under test wirelessly or via cable, preferably with
frequencies above 6 GHz or millimeter waves. Advantageously,
spectrum bands above 6 GHz comprise large blocks of spectrum that
are particularly suitable for 5G mobile communications.
[0013] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the communication means is
configured to deactivate the device under test before analyzing in
the second analysis mode and to activate the device under test
after analyzing in the second analysis mode. Advantageously,
testing accuracy is significantly improved.
[0014] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the mobile radio testing device
further comprises a graphical user interface, configured to display
results from the first analysis mode and the second analysis mode
simultaneously, preferably in parallel. Advantageously, analyzing
the test results and switching of the analysis modes are performed
with ease through direct manipulation of the graphical
elements.
[0015] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the graphical user interface is
further configured to indicate a specific source of radio frequency
interferences based on the classification of radio frequency
interferences from the second analysis mode. Advantageously,
testing accuracy is further improved.
[0016] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
first aspect of the invention, the graphical user interface is
further configured to control a signal transmission in the downlink
path. Therefore, a selective interference can be generated through
the downlink path that can be acted on the receive signal from the
device under test. Advantageously, the behavior of the device under
test under a particular interference situation can be effectively
analyzed.
[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for
protocol testing of a device under test is provided. The method
comprises the steps of analyzing signals from the device under test
in a first analysis mode including a demodulation processing step
and analyzing signals from the device under test in a second
analysis mode excluding the demodulation processing step.
Advantageously, the first analysis mode is configured to perform
protocol testing and the second analysis mode is configured to
perform radio frequency testing on the same receive signal from the
device under test. Therefore, the actual receive signal in the
receiver is analyzed for investigating the interference situation
of the test environment.
[0018] According to a first preferred implementation form of said
second aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the
step of operating the first analysis mode and the second analysis
mode simultaneously. Advantageously, protocol testing and radio
frequency testing are performed simultaneously.
[0019] According to a second preferred implementation form of said
second aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the
step of detecting radio frequency interferences in the second
analysis mode. Advantageously, no additional spectrum analyzer
and/or antenna arrangement are required, which leads to a simple
and cost effective test setup.
[0020] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
second aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the
step of classifying the detected radio frequency interferences with
respect to a pattern dataset in the second analysis mode. The
classification can be based on selective strategies, for instance
technology identification, modulation type recognition,
interference source detection and so on. These data then can be
advantageously utilized to train the testing device to effectively
analyze the interference situation of the test environment.
[0021] According to a further preferred implementation form of said
second aspect of the invention, the method further comprises the
step of indicating a specific source of radio frequency
interferences based on the classification of radio frequency
interferences from the second analysis mode. Advantageously,
testing accuracy is significantly improved.
[0022] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description, simply by illustrating a number of particular
embodiments and implementations, including the best mode
contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present
invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and
its several details can be modified in various obvious respects,
all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are now further
explained with respect to the drawings by way of example only, and
not for limitation. In the drawings:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the mobile radio testing
device according to the first aspect of the invention,
[0025] FIG. 2a shows a first exemplary test setup for the mobile
radio testing device,
[0026] FIG. 2b shows a second exemplary test setup for the mobile
radio testing device,
[0027] FIG. 3a shows an interference situation in the uplink
receive train by way of example,
[0028] FIG. 3b shows an interference situation in the uplink signal
frequency spectrum by way of example, and
[0029] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the
second aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A device and a method for protocol testing of a device under
test, which further analyze the interference situation of the test
environment in a highly efficient and cost effective manner to
ensure error free reception at high data rates, are described. In
the following description, for the purposes of explanation,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the invention. It is apparent, however,
that the invention may be practiced without these specific details
or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
[0031] A processor, unit, module or component (as referred to
herein) may be composed of software component(s), which are stored
in a memory or other computer-readable storage medium, and executed
by one or more processors or CPUs of the respective devices. A
module or unit may alternatively be composed of hardware
component(s) or firmware component(s), or a combination of
hardware, firmware and/or software components. Further, with
respect to the various example embodiments described herein, while
certain of the functions are described as being performed by
certain components or modules (or combinations thereof), such
descriptions are provided as examples and are thus not intended to
be limiting. Accordingly, any such functions may be envisioned as
being performed by other components or modules (or combinations
thereof), without departing from the spirit and general scope of
the present invention. Moreover, the methods, processes and
approaches described herein may be processor-implemented using
processing circuitry that may comprise one or more microprocessors,
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other devices operable to be
configured or programmed to implement the systems and/or methods
described herein. For implementation on such devices that are
operable to execute software instructions, the flow diagrams and
methods described herein may be implemented in processor
instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, such as
executable software stored in computer memory storage.
[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments of the
present invention may be variously modified and the range of the
present invention is not limited by the following embodiments.
[0033] In FIG. 1, a block diagram of the inventive mobile radio
testing device 10 according to the first aspect of the invention is
illustrated. The mobile radio testing device 10 comprises a
downlink path 11 and an uplink path 13. The downlink path 11
comprises a radio transmission block 22 that outputs radio
frequency signals preferably above 6 GHz or millimeter wave
frequency range. The uplink path 13 comprises a first analysis mode
15 and a second analysis mode 17. The uplink signal from a device
under test 20, which is not shown in FIG. 1, is demodulated along
the first analysis mode 15 through a demodulation processing unit
12 based on the protocol stack to be tested according to the
standards such as LTE, NR and so on. The said uplink signal is
further analyzed along the second analysis mode 17 through a
spectrum analyzing means 14 where the modulated version of the
receive signal is investigated for radio frequency interferences.
The mobile radio testing device 10 also comprises communication
means 16 through which the downlink path 11 and the uplink path 13
are connected to the device under test 20.
[0034] Furthermore, the mobile radio testing device 10 comprises a
graphical user interface 18 which displays results from the first
analysis mode 15 and the second analysis mode 17 on one screen
preferably in parallel. The graphical user interface 18 controls
the communication means 16 via signal line 21 such that the device
under test 20 is deactivated before analyzing in the second
analysis mode 17 and is activated after analyzing in the second
analysis mode 17 to provide controlled interruption for frequency
analysis of the received signal. The graphical user interface 18
further configures the radio transmission block 22 via signal line
19 in order to generate a specific downlink signal along the
downlink path 11. Preferably, the graphical user interface 18
comprises menu based interfaces and direct manipulation interfaces
so as to facilitate the users to configure the testing device 10 to
meet their specific requirements in diverse test circumstances.
[0035] In FIG. 2a, a first exemplary test setup for the mobile
radio testing device 10 is illustrated. In this context, the mobile
radio testing device 10 is wirelessly connected with a device under
test 20 through the communication means 16. The communication means
16 comprises a downlink antenna 27, an uplink antenna 28 and
switching arrangements that are digitally controlled by the
graphical user interface 18 via the signal line 21.
[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the communication means 16
comprises radio frequency connectors along with switching
arrangements to communicate with the device under test 20 via radio
frequency cables, for instance coaxial cable, twisted pair cable
and the like.
[0037] The device under test 20 comprises an antenna 29, preferably
a transceiver and is placed in an OTA test chamber 26 for wireless
testing in controlled electromagnetic environment. The OTA test
chamber 26 preferably supports all millimeter wave frequency bands
that are considered for 5G communication. The radio transmission
block 22 transmits protocol stacks to be tested to the device under
test 20 and the respective uplink signal is analyzed along the
first analysis mode 15. Additionally, users can configure the
downlink signal through the graphical user interface 18 to produce
specific interference to the uplink signal to observe the behavior
of the device under test 20 for a selective interference situation
of the test environment along the second analysis mode 17.
[0038] In FIG. 2b, a second exemplary test setup for the mobile
radio testing device 10 is illustrated. The said test setup differs
from the first test setup according to FIG. 2a in that the OTA test
chamber 26 is not present and the device under test is placed in an
open-air test area surrounded by interfering sources IF1, IF2, IF3.
The interfering sources IF1, IF2, IF3 can be defined as, for
example, WLAN hotspots, DECT stations, other mobile networks and
the like. Such non-coherent interfering sources IR1, IR2, IR3 as
well as the interfering downlink signal are detected in the
spectrum analyzing means 14 along the second analysis mode 15. The
second analysis mode 15 effectively classifies the detected
interfering sources IF1, IF2, IF3 with respect to a pattern dataset
based on the technology, modulation type and so on. The graphical
user interface 18 indicates the interfering sources IF1, IF2, IF3
on the screen and marks the interfering sources IF1, IF2, IF3
according to the classifications from the second analysis mode
17.
[0039] In FIG. 3a, an interference situation in the uplink receive
train is illustrated by way of example. With respect to the test
setup, where the device under test 20 is placed in an OTA test
chamber 26, interferences in the uplink signal is limited to the
downlink signal in most cases. Such an interference situation is
shown along FIG. 3a where the mobile radio testing device 10
captures uplink data train from the device under test 20 which
comprises interfering downlink data. Additionally, other
interfering sources can be deliberately placed within the OTA test
chamber 26 to observe the respective behavior of the device under
test 20 in a controlled interference situation of the test
environment.
[0040] In FIG. 3b, an interference situation in the uplink signal
frequency spectrum is illustrated by way of example. With the
addition of new frequencies and signaling forms, 5G communication
is more susceptible to interference from other wireless services
since most of the frequency bands operate in the same or in
adjacent spectrum to other wireless communication systems. Such an
example is shown along FIG. 3a where an active new radio (NR)
carrier is congested by adjacent wireless local area network (WLAN)
carriers. Particularly in the open-air test setup, which simulates
closest to the real world usage scenario of the device under test
20, is not essentially limited to one WLAN source but also
vulnerable to unsuspected carriers from other wireless
communication systems.
[0041] In FIG. 4, a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of the
inventive method according to the second aspect of the invention is
illustrated. In a first step S1, signals from the device under test
are analyzed in a first analysis mode that includes a demodulation
processing step. In a second step S2, signals from the device under
test are analyzed in a second analysis mode that excludes the
demodulation processing step. In a third step S3, the first
analysis mode and the second analysis mode are operated
simultaneously.
[0042] Furthermore, in a fourth step S4, radio frequency
interferences are detected in the second analysis mode. In a fifth
step S5, the detected radio frequency interferences are classified
with respect to a pattern dataset in the second analysis mode.
[0043] Finally, in a sixth step S6, a specific source of radio
frequency interferences is indicated based on the classification of
radio frequency interferences from the second analysis mode.
[0044] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous
changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with
the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments.
Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance
with the following claims and their equivalents.
[0045] Although the invention has been illustrated and described
with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations
and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the
reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed
drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention
may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several
implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more
other features of the other implementations as may be desired and
advantageous for any given or particular application.
* * * * *